Vehicle wheel structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle wheel structure that is able to prevent falling off of a wheel mounting member fixed to a wheel.SOLUTION: A vehicle wheel structure 10 includes: a wheel 11 that supports a tire and is fitted to a vehicle; a wheel cover 13 that is a wheel mounting member engaged with a central part of a disc forming at least the wheel 11, with respect to the wheel 11, wherein the wheel cover includes: a main body portion 131 formed to cover, in a state of being mounted on the wheel 11, an entire surface of the disc corresponding to an outer side of the vehicle when the wheel 11 is fitted to the vehicle; and an engaging portion 136 that is provided on the main body portion 131 and engages with a to-be-engaged portion 114 provided at a central part of the disc; and a restricting member 14 that restricts, in a state in which the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion 114, movement of the engaging portion 136 in a releasing direction in which the engaging portion 136 is released from engagement with the engaged portion 114.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle wheel structure. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a wheel cap is known from the past, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. The conventional wheel cap has an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion formed on the outer periphery where the disc and rim that constitute the wheel of a vehicle are connected. The conventional wheel cap is attached to the wheel by the engaged portion engaging with the engaging portion on the outer periphery of the wheel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-158300 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a vehicle is traveling, wind pressure and vibrations can generate external forces acting on wheel mounting components, such as hubcaps and wheel covers, attached to the wheels, in a direction that can cause the wheel mounting components to fall off. Furthermore, in recent years, there has been a trend toward larger diameter wheels (larger sizes) being mounted on vehicles, which can generate large centrifugal forces on the wheel mounting components that rotate with the wheels. Conventional hubcaps employ a structure in which the engaged portion and the engaging portion engage only at the outer periphery of the wheel. Therefore, with a structure like a conventional hubcap, when an external force acts on the wheel mounting component, the wheel may float relative to the disc, particularly at the center of the disc. Furthermore, centrifugal forces acting on the floating wheel mounting component can make the wheel mounting component more susceptible to falling off.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle wheel structure that can prevent a wheel mounting member attached to a wheel from falling off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle wheel structure of the present disclosure comprises a wheel to be assembled to a vehicle, and a wheel mounting member that engages with at least the center of a disc that forms the wheel relative to the wheel, the wheel mounting member having: a main body portion formed to cover the surface of the disc that corresponds to the outside of the vehicle when the wheel is assembled to the vehicle when the wheel is assembled to the vehicle; and an engaging portion provided on the main body portion that engages with an engaged portion provided in the center of the disc; and a restricting member that restricts the engaging portion from moving in a disengaging direction that disengages it from the engaged portion when the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the vehicle wheel structure of the present disclosure, the restricting member can restrict movement of the engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion at the center of the wheel in the disengagement direction. This maintains the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion even when an external force or centrifugal force acts on the wheel mounting member. This prevents the wheel mounting member from falling off the wheel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle wheel structure according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a wheel. [Figure 4] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a wheel mounting member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a wheel mounting member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a restricting member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an engaging portion and a holding portion of the wheel mounting member of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a fitting and holding portion of a restricting member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the assembly of the restricting member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the restricting member of the first embodiment is assembled. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a vehicle wheel structure according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a wheel mounting member according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a wheel mounting member and a restricting member according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the assembly of the restricting member according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a restricting member according to a second embodiment is assembled. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, vehicle wheel structures according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition to the following embodiments, the present disclosure can be embodied in various forms that incorporate various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0010] 1. First embodiment As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle wheel structure 10 of the first embodiment includes a wheel 11 that constitutes a wheel of the vehicle. The wheel 11 supports a tire 12 and is mounted to the vehicle. The vehicle wheel structure 10 of the first embodiment also includes a wheel cover 13 as a wheel mounting member that is attached to the wheel 11, and a restricting member 14 that is mounted to the wheel cover 13. Here, the vehicle wheel structure 10 described below will be exemplified as being applied to a drive wheel. Note that, although the vehicle wheel structure 10 will be exemplified as being applied to a drive wheel, it goes without saying that the vehicle wheel structure 10 can also be applied to a wheel that is a driven wheel.

[0011] Here, with regard to the "inner" and "outer" sides of a vehicle in this specification and claims, when the wheel 11 is mounted on a vehicle, the side of the wheel 11 on which the vehicle body is located is the "inner" side, and the opposite side on which the vehicle body is not located is the "outer" side. In the following description, the "outer" side of the wheel 11 may also be referred to as the "design surface." In addition, in the following description, the direction parallel to the rotation axis L of the wheel shown in Figure 2 will be referred to as the "axial direction," and the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis L will be referred to as the "radial direction."

[0012] The wheel 11 is made of an alloy such as aluminum or steel, and includes a disk 111 formed in a disk shape, and an annular rim 112 that is provided on the outer periphery of the disk 111 and holds the tire 12. In this embodiment, the wheel 11 is made of an alloy such as aluminum, and is a one-piece type in which the disk 111 and the rim 112 are integrally molded, as shown in FIG.

[0013] 2 and 3, the disc 111 has a hub hole 113 formed to extend along the rotation axis L and penetrate a central portion 111C of the disc 111. Here, the hub hole 113 can also function as a hole for attaching an ornament provided on the wheel 11 when the wheel cover 13 is not attached, for example.

[0014] The inner circumferential surface of the hub hole 113 is provided with an engaged portion 114 that engages with an engaging portion 136 of the wheel cover 13, which will be described later. The engaged portion 114 is a ridge formed around the entire inner circumferential surface at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the hub hole 113. Note that a ridge provided for fixing an ornament can be used as the engaged portion 114.

[0015] The disc 111 also includes a hub attachment portion 115 for fixing the wheel 11 to the hub H, and spokes 116 that connect the hub attachment portion 115 to the rim 112. In this embodiment, the disc 111 is illustrated as having five spokes 116 that extend radially from the hub attachment portion 115.

[0016] The disc 111 also has air holes 117 formed between adjacent spokes 116. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the disc 111 is illustrated as having five air holes 117 defined by two spokes 116, the hub attachment portion 115, and the rim 112. Depending on the arrangement and shape of the spokes 116, the air holes 117 may be defined, for example, by two spokes 116 and the rim 112, or by two spokes 116 and the hub attachment portion 115. The disc 111 and the rim 112, i.e., the wheel 11, are fixed to the hub H by fastening members T such as hub nuts or hub bolts, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, a disc brake B is provided inside the wheel 11, more specifically, inside the hub H connected to the hub mounting portion 115. The disc brake B includes a brake rotor B1 that rotates integrally with the wheel 11, and a caliper B2 that presses a friction member against the brake rotor B1. If the wheel is a drive wheel, as shown in FIG. 2, a drive shaft D is connected to the hub H to which the hub mounting portion 115 is fixed. The drive shaft D is housed inside an axle J that passes through the hub H and the brake rotor B1. If the wheel is a drive wheel, the tip of the drive shaft D is inserted into the hub hole 113.

[0018] The wheel cover 13 and the restricting member 14 that constitute the vehicle wheel structure 10 are both molded using a resin material. Note that the wheel cover 13 and the restricting member 14 may be molded from the same resin material, or the wheel cover 13 and the restricting member 14 may be molded from different resin materials.

[0019] 1 and 2, the wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11 on the design surface facing outward, so as to cover the air holes 117 provided in the wheel 11. As shown in Fig. 4, the wheel cover 13 has a main body 131 as a main element. When the wheel cover 13 is attached to the disc 111 of the wheel 11, the main body 131 may be decorated on its outer surface.

[0020] The main body portion 131 has a plurality of main body forming members 132 and connecting portions 133 that connect the main body forming members 132 along the circumferential direction of the disc 111 when attached to the wheel 11. As a result, the plurality of main body forming members 132 are integrated by the connecting portions 133, and the disk-shaped main body portion 131 is attached to the design surface of the disc 111 of the wheel 11.

[0021] In the following description, an example will be given in which the main body 131 has a plurality of fan-shaped main body forming members 132. Specifically, the main body 131 has five main body forming members 132 to cover the five air holes 117 provided in the disc 111 of the wheel 11, respectively. However, the number of main body forming members 132 is not limited to this and may be two or more. Furthermore, the shape of the main body forming members 132 is not limited to a fan shape and various shapes can be adopted.

[0022] In the following description, an example will be given in which the connecting portion 133 connects the plurality of main body forming members 132 at the center portion 111C of the disc 111 when attached to the wheel 11. However, it is of course possible for the connecting portion 133 to connect the main body forming members 132 at a position other than the center portion 111C of the disc 111, for example, in accordance with the shape of the disc 111 of the wheel 11, more specifically, the three-dimensional shape of the spokes 116. Even in this case, the plurality of main body forming members 132 are integrated by the connecting portion 133, and the disk-shaped main body portion 131 can be attached to the disc 111 of the wheel 11.

[0023] The wheel cover 13 is provided with fixing members 134 such as clips for fixing the main body 131, i.e., each main body forming member 132, to the disc 111. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the fixing members 134 are hooked onto the spokes 116 of the disc 111, or inserted into and engaged with grooves 112G (see also Figure 3) provided on the outer periphery of the rim 112, as in the conventional wheel cap described above, thereby fixing each main body forming member 132, and therefore the main body 131, to the disc 111 of the wheel 11.

[0024] The wheel cover 13 of the first embodiment has a work hole 135 that is provided in the main body 131, i.e., the main body forming member 132, and allows the fastening member T (hub nut or hub bolt) for assembling the wheel 11 to the hub H to be inserted therethrough for tightening, as described above. As shown in FIG. 2, the work hole 135 is a through hole formed along the axial direction.

[0025] 5, the wheel cover 13 is provided with an engaging portion 136 that is inserted into a hub hole 113 provided in a central portion 111C of the disc 111 of the wheel 11 and engages with an engaged portion 114 provided in the hub hole 113. The engaging portion 136 is provided at the tip of a leg portion 137 that extends inward from the connecting portion 133 along the axial direction (rotation axis L) toward the hub hole 113 when the wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11. A plurality of engaging portions 136 and leg portions 137 (eight in this embodiment, for example) are provided in a ring shape around the connecting portion 133.

[0026] Each engaging portion 136 is formed in a claw shape so as to engage with a protruding engaged portion 114. That is, when inserted into the interior of hub hole 113 together with leg portions 137, engaging portion 136 protrudes radially outward so as to face the inner circumferential surface of hub hole 113, i.e., so as to face engaged portion 114 (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

[0027] As a result, when engaging portion 136 is inserted axially into hub hole 113 together with leg portion 137, it comes into contact with engaged portion 114. As engaging portion 136 is further inserted, leg portion 137 resiliently bends radially inward, causing engaging portion 136 to overcome engaged portion 114 and engage with engaged portion 114. Here, as shown by the thick solid arrow in Figure 5, among the directions in which each leg portion 137 resiliently bends, the direction in which engaging portion 136 moves away from engaged portion 114, i.e., the direction in which engaging portion 136 releases engagement with engaged portion 114, is referred to as release direction Dm.

[0028] As will be described later, the wheel cover 13 also includes a stopper 138 that positions the restricting member 14 when the restricting member 14 is assembled. The wheel cover 13 also includes a retaining portion 139 that is formed on the rear side of the engaging portion 136, i.e., on the inner side of the engaging portion 136 in the radial direction, and that retains a fitting retaining portion 142 (described later) of the restricting member 14 that is positioned by the stopper 138. The shapes of the engaging portion 136, the leg portion 137, the stopper 138, and the retaining portion 139 will be described in detail later.

[0029] The regulating member 14 regulates the engaging portion 136 from moving in the release direction Dm from a state in which the engaging portion 136 is engaged with the engaged portion 114. To this end, as shown in FIG. 6 , the regulating member 14 has an annular portion 141 and a fitting-and-holding portion 142 that is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion 141, regulates the movement of the engaging portion 136 in the release direction Dm, and is fitted and held by the holding portion 139. The annular portion 141 is elastically deformable in the radial direction. The fitting-and-holding portion 142 is formed so as to protrude radially outward relative to the annular portion 141. Preferably, at least two fitting-and-holding portions 142 are formed along the circumferential direction of the annular portion 141, and in this embodiment, four fitting-and-holding portions 142 are formed.

[0030] Next, the shapes of the engaging portion 136, leg portion 137, stopper 138, and holding portion 139 of the wheel cover 13 and the shape of the fitting holding portion 142 of the regulating member 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. When inserted into the hub hole 113, the engaging portion 136 needs to engage with the engaged portion 114 to prevent lifting or vibration of the disc 111 at the center portion 111C. As will be described later, when the engaging portion 136 is engaged with the engaged portion 114, the regulating member 14 is inserted radially inward relative to the engaging portion 136, thereby being positioned adjacent to the engaging portion 136 in the release direction Dm, and thus needs to restrict movement of the engaging portion 136 in the release direction Dm. Therefore, when inserted inside the engaging portion 136, the regulating member 14 is normally maintained in a state held by the holding portion 139, and needs to be released from the holding portion 139 when, for example, the wheel cover 13 is to be removed.

[0031] 7, the holding portion 139 is formed so that an imaginary plane V1 perpendicular to the axial direction (rotation axis L) forms an angle θ with a slope formed to protrude radially inward from the back side of the engaging portion 136. That is, the holding portion 139 forms a fitting angle θ, which is the angle θ at which the holding portion 139 fits with the fitting holding portion 142 of the regulating member 14 positioned by the stopper 138.

[0032] On the other hand, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 8, the fitting and holding portion 142 is formed so that an imaginary plane V1 perpendicular to the axial direction (rotation axis L) and a sloped surface protruding radially outward from the annular portion 141 form an angle θ. In other words, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 8, the fitting and holding portion 142 is formed so that an imaginary plane V2 parallel to the axial direction (rotation axis L) and the sloped surface form an angle φ (= 90° - θ), a so-called desired angle φ. That is, the fitting and holding portion 142 also forms a fitting angle θ, which is the angle θ for fitting with the holding portion 139. As a result, the fitting and holding portion 142 of the regulating member 14 is fitted and held in the holding portion 139 with the fitting angle θ being aligned by the stopper 138.

[0033] When the regulating member 14 is positioned by the stopper 138, the holding portion 139 and the fitting holding portion 142 need to be aligned in the axial direction. For this reason, in the wheel cover 13, as shown in Fig. 7, a distance A1 is set in the axial direction to an apex 139A that forms a fitting angle θ between the stopper 138 and the holding portion 139. On the other hand, in the regulating member 14, as shown in Fig. 8, a distance B1 is set in the axial direction from an end face on one end side or the other end side of the annular portion 141 that can come into contact with the stopper 138 to an apex 142A that forms the fitting angle θ.

[0034] As a result, when the distance A1 and the distance B1 are equal, the apex 139A of the fitting angle θ of the retaining portion 139 and the apex 142A of the fitting angle θ of the fitting-and-holding portion 142 coincide with each other, and the regulating member 14 is fitted and held by the retaining portion 139. Incidentally, when the wheel cover 13 and the regulating member 14 are molded using, for example, a resin material, the distances A1 and B1 typically may change due to the effects of water absorption and thermal expansion. Furthermore, allowable tolerances are set for the molding of the wheel cover 13 and the regulating member 14. Therefore, in reality, taking these dimensional change factors into consideration, when A1 = B1 + α is established, which includes a clearance amount α that can absorb dimensional changes due to the dimensional change factors, the apex 139A of the fitting angle θ of the retaining portion 139 coincides with the apex 142A of the fitting angle θ of the fitting-and-holding portion 142, and the regulating member 14 is fitted and held by the retaining portion 139.

[0035] Next, we will explain how to assemble the wheel 11 that constitutes the vehicle wheel structure 10 of the first embodiment, how to assemble (mount) the wheel cover 13 and the restricting member 14 to the wheel 11, and how to remove the wheel 11 and how to remove the wheel cover 13 and the restricting member 14 from the wheel 11. Note that the following explanations are merely examples, and assembly (mounting) and removal may be performed by other methods.

[0036] First, we will explain how to assemble (attach) the wheel cover 13 and the restricting member 14 to the wheel 11. In the first embodiment, the wheel cover 13 is first attached to the wheel 11. That is, the fixing members 134 are hooked onto the spokes 116 provided on the disc 111 of the wheel 11 or engaged with the grooves 112G, thereby mainly fixing the main body forming member 132 of the main body portion 131. Furthermore, the engaging portion 136 is inserted together with the leg portion 137 into the hub hole 113 provided on the disc 111 of the wheel 11, so that the engaging portion 136 engages with the engaged portion 114. In this way, the wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11.

[0037] Next, the restricting member 14 is inserted from the inside to the outside of the hub hole 113 of the wheel 11 to assemble the wheel 11 to which the wheel cover 13 is attached, as shown by the thick arrow in Figure 9. That is, the fitting and holding portion 142 of the restricting member 14 is fitted and held in the holding portion 139 of the wheel cover 13, as shown in Figure 10. As a result, the fitting and holding portion 142 of the restricting member 14 comes into contact with the holding portion 139 on the back side of the engaging portion 136, thereby restricting movement of the engaging portion 136 in the release direction Dm.

[0038] 10, consider the engagement allowance C1 when the engaging portion 136 and the engaged portion 114 are engaged, and the maximum clearance D1 that can occur due to dimensional changes between the inner diameter of the holding portion 139 and the outer diameter of the fitting-and-holding portion 142 when the holding portion 139 and the fitting-and-holding portion 142 are fitted together. In this case, if the maximum clearance D1 is smaller than the engagement allowance C1, the engagement between the engaging portion 136 and the engaged portion 114 will not be released even if the engaging portion 136 moves in the release direction Dm.

[0039] In other words, when the relationship C1>D1 is established, the regulating member 14 regulates the movement of the engaging portion 136 in the disengaging direction Dm, preventing the engaging portion 136 from being disengaged from the engaged portion 114. As a result, when the wheel 11 is mounted on the hub H, that is, when the vehicle is running, the engaging portion 136 maintains the engaged state with the engaged portion 114 without being disengaged.

[0040] In this way, with the wheel cover 13 attached to the wheel 11 and the restricting member 14 assembled, the wheel 11 is assembled to the hub H, as shown in Fig. 10. In this case, the fastening member T is inserted through the working hole 135 provided in the main body portion 131 (main body forming member 132) of the wheel cover 13, and the fastening member T is fastened to the hub H by a fastening operation, thereby assembling the wheel 11 to the hub H. In other words, in the first embodiment, the wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11, the restricting member 14 is assembled, and then the wheel 11 is assembled to the hub H.

[0041] Next, removal of the wheel 11 and removal of the wheel cover 13 and the restricting member 14 from the wheel 11 will be described. Removal of the wheel 11, wheel cover 13, and restricting member 14 is the reverse of the procedure for assembly (mounting). Specifically, first, the wheel 11, which is fastened to and assembled on the hub H with the fastening member T, is removed from the hub H. To do this, the fastening member T is loosened and removed using the working hole 135, and the wheel 11 is removed from the hub H.

[0042] Next, the restricting member 14 is removed from the inside of the removed wheel 11. That is, the restricting member 14, whose fitting holding portion 142 is fitted into the holding portion 139 of the wheel cover 13, is pulled out from the outside to the inside of the hub hole 113 and removed. As a result, the engaging portion 136 of the wheel cover 13 becomes movable in the release direction Dm as the leg portion 137 flexes.

[0043] Finally, the wheel cover 13 is removed from the disc 111 of the wheel 11. In this case, for example, the fixing member 134 that fixes the main body forming member 132 of the main body portion 131 to the disc 111 is disengaged, and then the connecting portion 133 is removed from the inside to the outside along the axial direction. In this case, since the restricting member 14 has already been removed, when the engaging portion 136 moves outward along the axial direction together with the connecting portion 133, the engaging portion 136 moves in the disengaging direction Dm along the slope formed at the engaging portion of the engaged portion 114 with the engaging portion 136. As a result, the engaging portion 136 is disengaged from the engaged portion 114, and the wheel cover 13 can be removed.

[0044] As can be understood from the above explanation, the vehicle wheel structure 10 of the first embodiment comprises a wheel 11 that supports a tire 12 and is assembled to a vehicle, a wheel mounting member that engages with at least the central portion 111C of the disc 111 that forms the wheel 11 for the wheel 11, and that, when mounted on the wheel 11, has a main body portion 131 that is formed to cover the design surface of the disc 111, which is the surface that corresponds to the outside of the vehicle when the wheel 11 is assembled to the vehicle, a wheel cover 13 that is provided on the main body portion 131 and has an engaging portion 136 that engages with an engaged portion 114 provided on the central portion 111C of the disc 111, and a regulating member 14 that, when the engaging portion 136 is engaged with the engaged portion 114, regulates the engaging portion 136 from moving in the release direction Dm that releases the engagement with the engaged portion 114.

[0045] In this case, the restricting member 14 is disposed adjacent to the engaging portion 136 in the release direction Dm.

[0046] In these cases, the wheel 11 has a hub hole 113 that penetrates the center 111C of the disc 111 along the rotation axis L of the wheel 11 so as to be fixed to the hub H of the vehicle, and the engaging portion 136 is arranged facing the inner surface of the hub hole 113 so as to engage with the engaged portion 114 formed on the inner surface of the hub hole 113, and the regulating member 14 is arranged on the back side of the engaging side that engages with the engaged portion 114 relative to the engaging portion 136 that is engaged with the engaged portion 114, thereby regulating the engaging portion 136 from moving in the release direction Dm from the engaged portion 114.

[0047] In this case, with the main body 131 attached to the wheel 11, the regulating member 14 is inserted into the hub hole 113 from the inside of the vehicle when the wheel 11 is assembled to the vehicle, and is positioned on the back side of the engagement portion 136.

[0048] In this case, the restricting member 14 is held by a holding portion 139 provided on the rear side of the engaging portion 136 .

[0049] In this case, the restricting member 14 is formed in an annular shape so as to be held by the holding portion 139 .

[0050] In this case, the wheel cover 13 and the restricting member 14 are molded using a resin material.

[0051] In this case, the main body portion 131 has a plurality of main body forming members 132 and connecting portions 133 that connect the main body forming members 132 along the circumferential direction of the disk 111 when attached to the wheel 11.

[0052] In this case, the main body forming members 132 are formed in a fan shape, and the connecting portions 133 connect the plurality of main body forming members 132 at the center portion 111C of the disk 111 in a state where they are attached to the wheel 11.

[0053] In this case, the main body 131 has a work hole 135 through which a fastening member T for assembling the wheel 11 to the vehicle hub can be inserted to perform tightening work when the wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11.

[0054] According to the vehicle wheel structure 10 of the first embodiment, the restricting member 14 is inserted into the hub hole 113 from the inside and the fitting retaining portion 142 is fitted into and retained by the retaining portion 139, thereby restricting movement of the engaging portion 136 that engages with the engaged portion 114 at the center portion 111C of the wheel 11 in the release direction Dm. As a result, the vehicle wheel structure 10 maintains the engaged state between the engaging portion 136 and the engaged portion 114 even if an external force acts on the wheel cover 13 in the detachment direction. Therefore, the vehicle wheel structure 10 can prevent the wheel cover 13 from detaching from the wheel 11.

[0055] Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure 10 prevents the central portion 111C from floating even when an external force acts on the wheel cover 13, thereby preventing the wheel cover 13 from moving, for example, in the radial direction, even when centrifugal force acts on it. Therefore, the vehicle wheel structure 10 can prevent the wheel cover 13 from falling off by the fixing member 134 together with the engaging portion 136. Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure 10 prevents the central portion 111C from floating even when an external force acts on the wheel cover 13, thereby preventing the generation of abnormal noise even when vibrations occur in the wheel cover 13.

[0056] 2. Second embodiment In the first embodiment described above, the vehicle wheel structure 10 has an annular regulating member 14, and the regulating member 14 is inserted from the inside to the outside of the hub hole 113 and assembled to regulate movement of the engaging portion 136 in the release direction Dm. For this reason, in the vehicle wheel structure 10 of the first embodiment described above, the wheel cover 13 and the regulating member 14 are assembled before the wheel 11 is assembled to the hub H.

[0057] The vehicle wheel structure 10 of the second embodiment has a cylindrical regulating member 15, which will be described later, and restricts movement of the engaging portion 136 in the release direction Dm by inserting the regulating member 15 from the outside to the inside of the hub hole 113. In the description of the vehicle wheel structure 10 of the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 11, the vehicle wheel structure 10 of the second embodiment also has the wheel 11 and tire 12 described in the first embodiment, and a wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11. However, as shown in Fig. 12, the wheel cover 13 of the second embodiment does not have the work hole 135 described in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the wheel cover 13 of the second embodiment has a through hole 133H in the connecting portion 133 that is arranged coaxially with the hub hole 113 when attached to the wheel 11. Then, as shown in Fig. 13, a cylindrical restricting member 15 is inserted into the through hole 133H.

[0059] In this embodiment, the through hole 133H is stepped along the axial direction to accommodate a large-diameter decorative surface 151 of a restricting member 15, which will be described later, and a contact portion 152 having a smaller diameter than the decorative surface 151. However, the shape of the through hole 133H along the axial direction is not limited to being stepped, and it is of course also possible for the through hole 133H to have a shape with the same inner diameter.

[0060] The restricting member 15 has a decorative portion 151 to be decorated, a contact portion 152, and an engagement holding portion 153. The decorative portion 151 is a surface that is exposed to the design surface of the wheel 11 when the restricting member 15 is inserted into the through-hole 133H, and is decorated with, for example, an ornament or the like.

[0061] The abutting portion 152 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the decorative portion 151, and when inserted into the through-hole 133H, is disposed on the back side of the engaging portion 136 that is engaged with the engaged portion 114 provided in the hub hole 113. In this way, the abutting portion 152 restricts movement of the engaging portion 136 in the release direction Dm (see FIG. 15).

[0062] The engaging and holding portion 153 is provided at the tip of the abutting portion 152 in the insertion direction of the restricting member 15 into the through-hole 133H and the hub hole 113, for example, in the axial direction. The engaging and holding portion 153 holds the restricting member 15 by engaging with the engaging portion 136, more specifically, with the tip of the engaging portion 136 in the axial direction (see FIG. 15).

[0063] Here, the shape of the through hole 133H of the wheel cover 13 and the shapes of the abutment portion 152 and the engagement holding portion 153 of the regulating member 15 will be described with reference to FIG. 13 . As described above, when inserted into the hub hole 113, the engaging portion 136 needs to engage with the engaged portion 114 to prevent lifting or vibration of the disc 111 at the center portion 111C. As will be described later, when the engaging portion 136 is engaged with the engaged portion 114, the regulating member 15 needs to be inserted into the through hole 133H to restrict movement of the engaging portion 136 in the release direction Dm. When inserted into the through hole 133H, the engaging holding portion 153 normally engages with the engaging portion 136 to maintain a held state. For example, when the wheel cover 13 is removed, the engaging holding portion 153 needs to be released from engagement with the engaging portion 136.

[0064] 13, in the restricting member 15, a length from a contact surface 151A of the decorative portion 151, which is positioned by the large diameter portion of the through hole 133H when inserted into the through hole 133H, to the contact portion 152, more specifically, a distance A2 is set to a connecting position 152A between the contact portion 152 and the engagement holding portion 153. In addition, in the wheel cover 13, a distance B2 is set that corresponds to the length (depth) along the axial direction of the small diameter portion formed by the leg portion 137 so that the contact portion 152 of the through hole 133H can be inserted.

[0065] As a result, when distance A2 is longer than distance B2 (A2>B2), the engagement holding portion 153 is positioned beyond the engagement portion 136 in the axial direction, and the engagement holding portion 153 of the regulating member 15 is engaged with the engagement portion 136 and held. Incidentally, in order for the engagement holding portion 153 to maintain engagement with the engagement portion 136, the outer diameter C2 of the engagement holding portion 153 is set to be larger than the inner diameter D2 of the small diameter portion of the through hole 133H. Specifically, taking into account the amount of deflection β of the engagement holding portion 153 toward the inside in the radial direction, when C2=D2+β holds, the engagement holding portion 153 can maintain engagement with the engagement portion 136.

[0066] Furthermore, the outer diameter E2 of the abutting portion 152 is set so that the abutting portion 152 restricts movement of the engaging portion 136 in the disengagement direction Dm. In this case, if the outer diameter E2 of the abutting portion 152 and the inner diameter D2 of the small-diameter portion of the through-hole 133H are equal (E2 = D2), the engaging portion 136 cannot move in the disengagement direction Dm even if it tries to, and the engagement between the engaging portion 136 and the engaged portion 114 is not released. However, when the wheel cover 13 and the restricting member 15 are molded using, for example, a resin material, the outer diameter E2 and the inner diameter D2 may normally change due to the effects of water absorption and thermal expansion. Furthermore, allowable tolerances are set for the molding of the abutting portion 152 and the through-hole 133H, i.e., the leg portion 137. Therefore, in reality, taking these dimensional change factors into consideration, if E2 = D2 + γ is established, which takes into account the clearance amount γ that can absorb the dimensional change due to the dimensional change factors, the abutment portion 152 can be positioned on the back side of the engagement portion 136, and the engagement portion 136 can be restricted from moving in the release direction Dm.

[0067] Next, we will explain how to assemble the wheel 11 that constitutes the vehicle wheel structure 10 of the second embodiment, how to assemble (mount) the wheel cover 13 and the restricting member 15 to the wheel 11, and how to remove the wheel 11 and how to remove the wheel cover 13 and the restricting member 15 from the wheel 11. Note that, in the second embodiment as well, the following explanation is an example, and assembly (mounting) and removal may be performed by other methods.

[0068] In the second embodiment, first, the wheel 11 is assembled to the hub H. That is, in the second embodiment, before the wheel cover 13 and the restricting member 15 are attached, the fastening member T is fastened to the hub H by a fastening operation, and the wheel 11 is assembled to the hub H.

[0069] In the second embodiment, the wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11 after the wheel 11 is assembled to the hub H. That is, the fixing members 134 are hooked onto the spokes 116 provided on the disc 111 of the wheel 11 or inserted into the grooves 112G, thereby mainly fixing the main body forming member 132 of the main body portion 131.

[0070] 14, the engaging portion 136 is inserted together with the leg portion 137 into the hub hole 113 provided in the disc 111 of the wheel 11, whereby the engaging portion 136 engages with the engaged portion 114. In this way, the wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11. Here, in the wheel cover 13 attached to the wheel 11, the through hole 133H and the hub hole 113 are coaxially arranged.

[0071] Next, the restricting member 15 is inserted from the outside to the inside of the vehicle into the wheel cover 13 attached to the wheel 11, as shown by the thick solid arrow in Fig. 14. That is, the engagement holding portion 153 of the restricting member 15 engages with the engagement portion 136, as shown in Fig. 15. As a result, the abutting portion 152 of the restricting member 15 is disposed on the back side of the engagement portion 136, thereby restricting movement of the engagement portion 136 in the release direction Dm.

[0072] In this way, in the second embodiment, the wheel cover 13 is attached to the wheel 11 assembled to the hub H. Thereafter, the restricting member 15 is inserted into the through-hole 133H and assembled.

[0073] Next, we will explain how to remove the wheel and the wheel cover 13 and the restricting member 15 from the wheel 11. Removing the wheel 11, wheel cover 13, and restricting member 15 is the reverse of the procedure for assembly (mounting). Specifically, first, the restricting member 15 is removed by pulling it out from the inside of the vehicle to the outside. That is, the restricting member 15 is removed by engaging the engagement holding portion 153 with the engagement portion 136 of the wheel cover 13. Here, when the restricting member 15 moves from the inside to the outside in the axial direction, as shown in FIG. 15 , the engaging portion of the engagement holding portion 153 with the engagement portion 136 forms a slope that is bent radially inward as the restricting member 15 moves. This allows the restricting member 15 to be pulled out of the through-hole 133H and removed.

[0074] Next, the wheel cover 13 is removed from the disc 111 of the wheel 11. In this case, for example, the fixing member 134 that fixes the main body forming member 132 of the main body portion 131 to the disc 111 is disengaged, and then the connecting portion 133 is removed from the inside to the outside along the axial direction. In this case, because the restricting member 15 has already been removed, when the engaging portion 136 moves outward along the axial direction together with the connecting portion 133, the leg portion 137 is bent, and the engaging portion 136 moves in the release direction Dm along the slope formed at the engaging portion of the engaged portion 114 with the engaging portion 136. As a result, the engaging portion 136 is disengaged from the engaged portion 114, and removal of the wheel cover 13 is completed.

[0075] Finally, the wheel 11, which has been fastened and assembled to the hub H with the fastening members T, is removed from the hub H. In this case, since the removal of the wheel cover 13 has already been completed, the fastening members T are loosened and removed, and the wheel 11 is removed from the hub H.

[0076] As can be understood from the above explanation, the vehicle wheel structure 10 of the second embodiment comprises a wheel 11 that supports a tire 12 and is assembled to a vehicle, a wheel mounting member that engages with at least the central portion 111C of the disc 111 that forms the wheel 11 for the wheel 11, and that, when mounted on the wheel 11, has a main body portion 131 that is formed to cover the design surface, which is the surface of the disc 111 that corresponds to the outside of the vehicle when the wheel 11 is assembled to the vehicle, a wheel cover 13 that is provided on the main body portion 131 and has an engaging portion 136 that engages with an engaged portion 114 provided on the central portion 111C of the disc 111, and a regulating member 15 that, when the engaging portion 136 is engaged with the engaged portion 114, regulates movement of the engaging portion 136 in the release direction Dm that releases the engagement with the engaged portion 114.

[0077] In this case, the restricting member 15 is disposed adjacent to the engaging portion 136 in the release direction Dm.

[0078] In these cases, the wheel 11 has a hub hole 113 that penetrates the center 111C of the disc 111 along the rotation axis L of the wheel 11 so as to be fixed to the hub H of the vehicle, and the engaging portion 136 is arranged facing the inner surface of the hub hole 113 so as to engage with the engaged portion 114 formed on the inner surface of the hub hole 113, and the regulating member 15 is arranged on the back side of the engaging side that engages with the engaged portion 114 relative to the engaging portion 136 that is engaged with the engaged portion 114, thereby regulating the engaging portion 136 from moving in the release direction Dm from the engaged portion 114.

[0079] In this case, the main body portion 131 has a through hole 133H that is arranged coaxially with the hub hole 113 when attached to the wheel 11, and the regulating member 15 is inserted into the through hole 133H and the hub hole 113 from the outside of the vehicle when the wheel 11 is assembled to the vehicle and the main body portion 131 is attached to the wheel 11, and is arranged on the back side of the engagement portion 136.

[0080] In this case, the regulating member 15 has an abutment portion 152 that can abut at least against the back side of the engagement portion 136, and an engagement holding portion 153 that is provided at the tip of the abutment portion 152 in the direction of insertion into the through hole 133H and hub hole 113 of the regulating member 15 and holds the regulating member 15 by engaging with the engagement portion 136.

[0081] According to the vehicle wheel structure 10 of the second embodiment, the restricting member 15 is inserted into the hub hole 113 from the outside, and the engagement holding portion 153 engages and is held in the engaging portion 136. The abutment portion 152 can restrict movement of the engaging portion 136, which engages with the engaged portion 114 at the center portion 111C of the wheel 11, in the release direction Dm. As a result, the vehicle wheel structure 10 of the second embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above.

[0082] 3. Variations In the first embodiment, the stopper 138 has a planar cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction so as to abut against the axial end surface of the annular portion 141 (fitting and holding portion 142) of the restricting member 14. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 16 , the stopper 138 may have a sloped cross-sectional shape so as to be connected to the engaging portion 136, more specifically, the leg portion 137. Even in this case, the stopper 138 can determine the axial position of the restricting member 14. Therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

[0083] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the multiple engaging portions 136 and holding portions 139 are arranged at close intervals in the circumferential direction, and the restricting member 14 is inserted from the inside of the hub hole 113 to engage the holding portions 139 with the fitting-and-holding portions 142, thereby holding the restricting member 14. In other words, when the holding portions 139 are arranged closely spaced in the circumferential direction at close intervals as in the first embodiment, even if the fitting-and-holding portions 142 of the restricting member 14 are divided, the holding portions 139 can be engaged with the fitting-and-holding portions 142 without rotating the restricting member 14 about the rotation axis L. This allows the restricting member 14 to be properly held, and movement in the release direction Dm of the engaging portions 136 corresponding to the holding portions 139 engaged with the fitting-and-holding portions 142 can be restricted.

[0084] Now, for example, consider a case where two or four narrow engaging portions 136, i.e., holding portions 139, are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and two or four fitting-holding portions 142, each matching the width of the holding portions 139, are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 141, that is, where the holding portions 139 and the fitting-holding portions 142 are relatively sparsely arranged. In this case, simply inserting the restricting member 14 may result in the holding portions 139 and the fitting-holding portions 142 not fitting together.

[0085] Therefore, when the holding portions 139 and the fitting-holding portions 142 are arranged relatively sparsely, after inserting the restricting member 14, the restricting member 14 is rotated by an appropriate angle (for example, about 90 degrees or about 45 degrees) so that the fitting-holding portions 142 fit into the holding portions 139. This allows the holding portions 139 and the fitting-holding portions 142 to fit together, and the restricting member 14 is held to restrict movement of the engaging portions 136 in the release direction Dm. Therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

[0086] In the second embodiment, the restricting member 15 has an engaging and holding portion 153, and the engaging and holding portion 153 engages with the engaging portion 136, thereby fixing the restricting member 15 to the wheel cover 13. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 17 , for example, a screw portion 154 may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the decorative portion 151, and a screw portion 133S may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the large diameter portion of the through hole 133H, and the screw portion 154 and the screw portion 133S may be screwed together to fix the restricting member 15 to the wheel cover 13. In this case, as shown in Fig. 17 , the engaging and holding portion 153 provided in the second embodiment is omitted, and therefore the restricting member 15 has the decorative portion 151, the abutting portion 152, and the screw portion 154.

[0087] Even in this case, the restricting member 15 can be fixed to the wheel cover 13, and the abutting portion 152 can restrict movement of the engaging portion 136 in the release direction Dm. Therefore, the same effects as those of the second embodiment, i.e., the first embodiment, can be obtained. Note that if the abutting portion 152 is formed so that its cross-sectional shape in the radial direction is elliptical, the engaging portion 136 that abuts against the abutting portion 152 can be arbitrarily changed depending on the rotational position of the restricting member 15, and even in this case, the abutting portion 152 can restrict movement of the engaging portion 136 in the release direction Dm.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the case where the main body portion 131 of the wheel cover 13 constituting the vehicle wheel structure 10 is formed from a plurality of (specifically, five) main body forming members 132 has been described as an example. However, it is also possible for the main body portion 131 to be formed from a single disk-shaped member rather than from a plurality of main body forming members 132. Even in this case, by providing the vehicle wheel structure 10 with the above-described restricting member 14 or restricting member 15, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the regulating member 14 constituting the vehicle wheel structure 10 has the annular portion 141. However, it is also possible for the regulating member 14 to have a plate-shaped circular disk portion, and for the fitting and holding portion 142 to be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the circular disk portion. Even in this case, the fitting and holding portion 142 fits into the holding portion 139 to hold the regulating member 14, thereby providing the same effect as in the above-described first embodiment.

[0090] Here, the vehicle wheel structure of the first form of the present disclosure comprises a wheel that supports a tire and is assembled to a vehicle, a wheel mounting member that engages with at least the center of a disc that forms the wheel relative to the wheel, the wheel mounting member having: a main body portion that, when mounted on the wheel, is formed to cover the surface of the disc that corresponds to the outside of the vehicle when the wheel is assembled to the vehicle; an engaging portion that is provided on the main body portion and engages with an engaged portion provided in the center of the disc; and a restricting member that, when the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion, restricts the engaging portion from moving in a disengaging direction that disengages it from the engaged portion.

[0091] A vehicle wheel structure according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure according to the first aspect, wherein the restricting member is disposed adjacent to the engaging portion in the release direction.

[0092] Furthermore, a third form of vehicle wheel structure of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel structure in which, in the first or second form, the wheel has a hub hole that penetrates the center of the disc along the rotational axis of the wheel so as to be fixed to the hub of the vehicle, and an engaging portion is arranged facing the inner surface of the hub hole so as to engage with an engaged portion formed on the inner surface of the hub hole, and a regulating member is arranged on the back side of the engaging side that engages with the engaged portion relative to the engaging portion that is engaged with the engaged portion, thereby regulating the engaging portion from moving in the release direction from the engaged portion.

[0093] Furthermore, the fourth form of the vehicle wheel structure of the present disclosure is the third form of the vehicle wheel structure, in which the regulating member is inserted from the inside of the vehicle into the hub hole when the wheel is assembled to the vehicle, with the main body attached to the wheel, and is positioned on the back side of the engagement portion.

[0094] A vehicle wheel structure according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure according to the fourth aspect, wherein the restricting member is held by a holding portion provided on the rear side of the engaging portion.

[0095] A vehicle wheel structure according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure according to the fifth aspect, wherein the restricting member is formed in an annular or disc shape so as to be held by the holding portion.

[0096] Furthermore, the seventh form of the vehicle wheel structure of the present disclosure is the third form of the vehicle wheel structure, wherein the main body portion has a through hole that is arranged coaxially with the hub hole when attached to the wheel, and the regulating member is inserted into the through hole and hub hole from outside the vehicle when the wheel is assembled to the vehicle and the main body portion is attached to the wheel, and is arranged on the back side of the engagement portion.

[0097] Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure of the eighth form of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of the seventh form, wherein the regulating member has an abutment portion that can abut at least against the back side of the engagement portion, and an engagement holding portion that is provided at the tip of the abutment portion in the direction of insertion into the through hole and hub hole of the regulating member and holds the regulating member by engaging with the engagement portion.

[0098] Furthermore, the ninth form of the vehicle wheel structure of the present disclosure is the seventh form of the vehicle wheel structure, wherein the regulating member has an abutment portion that can abut at least against the back side of the engagement portion, and a screw portion that can be screwed into a thread formed on the inner surface of the through hole of the main body portion.

[0099] A vehicle wheel structure of a tenth aspect of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the wheel mounting member and the restricting member are molded using a resin material.

[0100] Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure of an eleventh form of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of any one of the first to tenth forms, wherein the main body portion has a plurality of main body forming members and connecting portions that connect the main body forming members along the circumferential direction of the disc when attached to the wheel.

[0101] Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure of a twelfth form of the present disclosure is the vehicle wheel structure of the eleventh form, in which the main body forming members are formed in a fan shape, and the connecting portion connects multiple main body forming members at the center of the disc when attached to the wheel.

[0102] Furthermore, the vehicle wheel structure of a thirteenth form of the present disclosure is a vehicle wheel structure of any one of the fourth to sixth forms, wherein the main body has a work hole through which a fastening member for assembling the wheel to the vehicle hub can be inserted to perform tightening work when the wheel mounting member is attached to the wheel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 10...vehicle wheel structure, 11...wheel, 111...disc, 111C...center portion, 112...rim, 113...hub hole, 114...engaged portion, 115...hub mounting portion, 116...spoke, 117...ventilation hole, 12...tire, 13...wheel cover (wheel mounting member), 131...main body portion, 132...main body forming member, 133...connecting portion, 133H...through hole, 133S...screw portion, 1 34...fixing member, 135...work hole, 136...engagement portion, 137...leg portion, 138...stopper, 139...holding portion, 139A...vertex, 14...regulating member, 141...annular portion, 142...fitting and holding portion, 142A...vertex, 15...regulating member, 151...decorative portion, 152...abutment portion, 152A...connection position, 153...engagement and holding portion, 154...screw portion, H...hub, Dm...release direction, T...fastening member.

Claims

1. a wheel that supports a tire and is mounted on a vehicle; a wheel mounting member that engages with at least a central portion of a disk that forms the wheel, the wheel mounting member having a main body portion that is formed so as to cover a surface of the disk that faces outward from the vehicle when the wheel is mounted on the vehicle, and an engaging portion that is provided on the main body portion and engages with an engaged portion provided on the central portion of the disk; a restricting member that restricts movement of the engaging portion in a disengaging direction to disengage the engaging portion from the engaged portion while the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion; A vehicle wheel structure comprising:

2. The regulating member is The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1 , wherein the engaging portion is disposed adjacent to the engaging portion in the release direction.

3. The wheel is a hub hole provided through the central portion of the disc along the rotational axis of the wheel so as to be fixed to a hub of the vehicle; The engagement portion is the engaging portion is disposed to face the inner circumferential surface of the hub hole in order to engage with the engaging portion formed on the inner circumferential surface of the hub hole, The regulating member is 3. A vehicle wheel structure as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the engaging portion is positioned on the back side of the engaging side that is engaged with the engaged portion, and the engaging portion is prevented from moving in the release direction from the engaged portion.

4. The regulating member is 4. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 3, wherein, with the main body attached to the wheel, the main body is inserted into the hub hole from the inside of the vehicle when the wheel is assembled to the vehicle, and is positioned on the back side of the engagement portion.

5. The regulating member is The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 4 , wherein the engaging portion is held by a holding portion provided on the back side of the engaging portion.

6. The regulating member is The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 5 , which is formed in an annular or disc shape so as to be held by the holding portion.

7. The main body portion is a through-hole that is arranged coaxially with the hub hole when attached to the wheel, The regulating member is 4. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 3, wherein the wheel is assembled to the vehicle, and the main body portion is inserted into the through hole and the hub hole from outside the vehicle with the wheel attached to the main body portion, and positioned on the back side of the engagement portion.

8. The regulating member is a contact portion that can contact at least the back surface side of the engagement portion; 8. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 7, further comprising: an engaging and retaining portion provided at a tip of the abutment portion in the insertion direction of the regulating member into the through hole and the hub hole, and which retains the regulating member by engaging with the engaging portion.

9. The regulating member is a contact portion that can contact at least the back surface side of the engagement portion; The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 7 , further comprising: a screw portion that can be threadedly engaged with a thread formed on an inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the main body portion.

10. The wheel mounting member and the regulating member are 10. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1, which is molded using a resin material.

11. The main body portion is 2. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 1, comprising: a plurality of main body forming members; and a connecting portion that connects the main body forming members along the circumferential direction of the disc when attached to the wheel.

12. The main body forming member is formed in a fan shape, The connecting portion is The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of body forming members are connected together at the center of the disc when the vehicle wheel structure is mounted on the wheel.

13. The main body portion is 5. The vehicle wheel structure according to claim 4, further comprising a work hole through which a fastening member for assembling the wheel to the hub of the vehicle can be inserted to perform a tightening operation when the wheel mounting member is attached to the wheel.

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